Thankful Thursdays

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.

LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.

- Psalm 26: 6-7

No, Thursdays aren't the only days we should be thankful, but it is the day I've decided to post each week ten things for which I am thankful. What better way to harbour thankfulness than to have a list of specific items? Feel free to join me by posting your own set of thanks on your blog!

I am thankful for:

1. Christ living the perfect life for me, and died for my sins.
2. The precious little bundle I am holding in my arms.
3. Sweet fellowship with dear friends.
4. Hospitality - both being and receiving.
5. The amazingly wonderful family Yahweh has given me.
6. The ability to walk.
7. Being able to meet and fellowship with all my "online friends" (except for one!).
8. Safety and protection over my family.
9. The freedom to read God's Word without fear of being arrested.
10. All the hands-on childrearing/training I've been able to experience.

With a Grateful Heart,

What a Week!

Dear friends, thank you for your prayers! My family is headed home with the newest addition. She is absolutely adorable! After this whirlwind week, this still just doesn't seem real. God has been overwhelmingly awesome (in the real meaning of the word). While His ways aren't always my ways, I have seen Him work everything together for my good. Everything necessary for us to do in Wichita was completed in about twenty-seven hours and we were able to take the opportunity to visit some very special, dear, sweet, amazing friends. After relishing their refreshing company and delightful hospitality for twenty-four hours we are safely headed on our way home. Everything will probably start sinking in when we reach home! The eight hundred photos will be sorted through and the best will make it to Facebook. If you aren't on there and want a peek, let me know and I'll send you a link to the pictures. Please continue to pray for baby, our safe travels, health and also for the adjustment period. Thankfully, Janae adores her new "baby doll" - perhaps a little too much, as she always wants to be kissing baby! ;-) Like I said, pictures soon!

May Yahweh Richly Bless,
Jessica
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The Road Goes Ever On

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can.

Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.

-- J R R Tolkien

The first exciting happening on our trip to Kansas, was a stop for dinner in Crossville, TN. A pen pal of mine lives not very far away, and we were able to meet there for dinner. I am always nervous about meeting people in person that I've only known online. Being inclined toward being an introvert myself, I find it quite strained and awkward to try and hold a conversation with someone of few words. In my experience, introverts are more drawn electronic means of communication. Anyway, my family enjoyed some wonderful fellowship with them. I'm so thankful Yahweh worked everything out so we could meet. He is good!

Shalom,
Jessica
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"If You're Not Dancing, You're Wasting Your Feet"

If you know me, you know how much I enjoy dancing. Not just any dance, but particularly English Country Dance. I've been a member of a local dance group for about three years now. Through ECD, I've met several amazing people, including a certain dear Texas family. :-) What I've recently been introduced to is Contra Dancing. I had heard of it before, but never really knew what exactly it was. Since contra was going to be part of an ECD weekend, the dancing members of my family visited a local contra group to get a "head start". As it usually goes with dance, we were hooked. :-) This particular group has a wonderful wood floor, live music, great callers and good dancers.

Contra dance is a bit difficult to describe. It has been described as "making your own amusement park ride", "how many spins can you incorporate" and "how dizzy can you get". Unlike ECD, there is a lot of room for variation and improvisation. Extra spins and stomps can be incorporated at will. It's definitely an excellent source of exercise. ;-) The first time I did contra, it just about doesn't make sense. Once you've done it a few times and have learned the basic moves, it is a lot of fun adding the "decorations". After a couple of months, I have finally gotten the hang of it and am able to dance as a guy. The man's part is almost more fun than the lady's!

So now you've read more about contra dance than you probably wanted to know. ;-) But, if it's enough to convince you to try it, my mission is accomplished. If you're already hooked, I'm looking forward to reading your gushing comment about how much fun contra dancing is. :-)
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While I'm Waiting...

Here's a delayed post that I'm finally getting around to posting!

There is an ever-widening gap these days between high school and marriage. Marriage is delayed first for college, then until the debt incurred from college is paid off, and then further while a house is bought and/or a well paying job is secured. We delay until we feel completely prepared and everything is in place. But in reality the reading, preparation and study are useless until you can actually start applying them.

Now, that probably sounds like I don't think you should prepare at all. On the contrary, I am dismayed at the lack of preparation of young people for marriage. I am merely throwing out the thought that maybe some are delaying marriage because they don't feel completely prepared. These are just some of my musings.

I wish I saw more young ladies preparing for marriages, not careers. I am weary of the cultural norm that everyone should go to college after high school. While the aim should be growing up learning these various duties, I do think that after graduation there should more study made into being a homemaker (unless you're a guy, then it should be maturity and leadership). I would suggest first being knowledgeable about the care and keeping of a household - things like cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, beautifying the home, meal planning, child rearing, etc. - before seeking out a higher education. I think it's preferable to have a good foundation in those areas before marriage. I truly enjoy the circumstances Yahweh has placed me in - I have had hands-on experience with most everything pertaining to babies because of my now eighteen month old sister, I can see how different schooling methods work as I help my younger brothers with their school, and just learn the general care of a household. I realize not everyone can have the experiences I've had (though I do think if you don't have any younger siblings, you should consider helping someone who has young children so to gain that experience - and I would venture to say that applies to men and women), but I do think there ought to be some sort of preparation in those areas. We shouldn't wait to prepare, but should prepare while we wait! I've obviously addressed more of the ladies side of the issue, but the idea of preparation applies to the gentlemen, too.

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Travel Diaries: Kansas!

To get the updates that I neglect, you can hop on over to http://mauneyfamily.blogspot.com/

We headed out this afternoon on our eighteen hour road trip. Praise God, the ICPC (interstate clearances) is approved! This means we won't be stranded in Kansas, waiting for clearance to head home. Please continue to pray for safety as we travel, healing for the sick ones among us, for good travel time and for the baby.

Stayed tuned for more updates from the road! :-)

Soli Deo Gloria,
Jessica
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If you haven't done so already...

...then hop on over to the family blog and see what's new!

Shalom,

Mark Regnerus on Early Marriage

I will post some of my thoughts later, but in the meantime enjoy reading these links:

Say Yes: What Are You Waiting For? by Mark Regnerus

The Case for Early Marriage by Mark Regnerus

Where are the Men? Thoughts on The Case for Early Marriage by Samuel Kordik.


Shalom,

The "Gift" of Singleness

Frequently today, marriage is postponed or delayed. Too many are putting off marriage until their thirties and even forties. You are expected to meekly wait until the right one more or less falls directly into your lap instead of actively searching for a spouse. While I believe that there does exist those truly called to celibacy, they are few and far between. Prolonged singleness, however, does not equal celibacy.

Who is to blame for the recent rise in number of singles, especially those older in age? Though I think there is percentage of blame that rests on families, I believe that it is foremostly the church. In nearly every church, you will find a single adults group. While these can be used to promote marriage amount there members and helping them find suitable mates, they often end up doing the opposite. Through these groups, one can fill up there schedules so that you are never lonely, never have a chance to consider marriage. Often the predominate thinking there - as well as elsewhere - is that as a single, you are somehow more of service to God. In this day and age, avenues of service where marriage is an impediment are few. Being single does not make one holier. Yes, there are daily distractions in marriage, but they are just as many - perhaps more, since there is none to share them with - than in the single state. Once our churches return to scriptural teaching in the area of marriage and singleness, I believe the resulting change would overflow to many different aspects of our culture.
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A Debtor to Mercy Alone

I recently was introduced to this hymn by a friend, and immediately loved with it. The hymn is short, yet sweet, and its richness speaks to our weary souls. Go here to get a sampling of the tune of the hymn.

A Debtor to Mercy Alone
by Augustus M. Toplady

A debtor to mercy alone, of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with Thy righteousness on, my person and off’ring to bring.
The terrors of law and of God with me can have nothing to do;
My Savior’s obedience and blood hide all my transgressions from view.

The work which His goodness began, the arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen, and never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now, nor all things below or above,
Can make Him His purpose forgo, or sever my soul from His love.

My name from the palms of His hands eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart it remains, in marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure, as sure as the earnest is giv’n;
More happy, but not more secure, the glorified spirits in Heav’n.

Yahweh Bless,

A New Look

There's a time for everything, including upgrading the look of one's blog! :-) I finally got around to choosing a proper template for my blog, and harmonizing the colors. The results are a fresh, lighter look - if I do say so myself! So all my Google Reader friends, hop on over, take a peek, and let me know what you think!

Shalom,
Jessica
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